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Defenders Compesates for Eureka Wolf Kills

(08/13/1997) - Missoula, MT -- Defenders of Wildlife, a national conservation
organization that has spearheaded efforts to restore wolves in several regions
of the United States, including the Northern Rockies, today announced it has
paid $3,942 in compensation to a Eureka, Montana sheep rancher who lost 28 sheep
to wolves.

According to Northern Rockies representative Hank Fischer, "We
support the recovery of wolves in the Northern Rockies, but it's not our intent
for this restoration to occur at the expense of livestock producers. Our goal is
to have wolf supporters take responsibility for the occasional problems caused
by wolves."

Since 1987, Defenders of Wildlife has compensated ranchers for
every verified livestock loss caused by wolves in Montana, Idaho and Wyoming.
The organization has paid more than $35,000 to nearly 40 producers. In each of
these incidents, the offending wolves have been controlled and the predations
have stopped.

Says Fischer, who has administered the program since its
inception, "While this is the most expensive single predation incident we have
experienced in the ten-year history of our program, we remain solidly committed
to offering compensation. We hope this consistent record of responsiveness
brings the one thing we seek in exchange: tolerance on the part of ranchers and
other members of the public for wolves that do not bother livestock."

In addition to the compensation for loss of 12 ewes and 16
lambs, Defenders paid the landowner $252 to compensate for the weight loss of
lambs that lost their mothers, and another $250 to compensate for the expense of
hiring a backhoe to bury the dead livestock.

Added Fischer, "While wolves occasionally kill livestock, such
behavior is uncommon and infrequent. The record during the last ten years
clearly bears this out."

Defenders' Wolf Compensation Fund is a citizen-supported
endeavor that receives no government funding. The organization strives to
maintain a balance of at least $100,000 in the fund at all times. Those who wish
to support the fund should write to: Defenders of Wildlife, 1101 14th Street NW,
Suite 1400, Washington, DC 20005.